Mangrum Family Overwhelmed By Support After Losing Home In Blaze
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Jason and Trista Mangrum along with Devin (left) and Olivia thank the community for the overwhelming support and love.
WATER VALLEY — More than a week after losing their home in a devastating fire, Water Valley Police Chief Jason Mangrum and his family say the outpouring of support from Water Valley and beyond has been nothing short of overwhelming.
The fire broke out in the early morning hours of Saturday, Sept. 13, at the family’s home on County Road 225. The Mangrums had only been asleep for a couple of hours after returning from a football game when the crackling of the fire woke them. Jason managed to get the children out the front door, then sprinted around the house to the bedroom window. He ripped out a window A/C unit and pulled Trista through the opening just before the bedroom was engulfed. “Seconds mattered,” the chief said later.
Today, the family looks back on those terrifying moments with gratitude that all four made it out alive — and with amazement at what’s happened since.
“This town has showed out — family, friends, and citizens,” Mangrum said. “We can’t thank everyone enough for the gratitude. I never would have expected it. The outpouring of support for me and my family has been unreal.”
The Mangrums walked away from the fire with nothing but the clothes they were wearing. Thanks to the generosity of others, they have a place to stay, food to eat, and clothes to wear. “We are blessed,” Mangrum said. “The generosity has been mind-blowing to me and my family.”
The police chief and his wife, Trista, have tried to personally thank every person who has called, donated, or helped in any way. They even started a list, but the response has been so great they know some names have been missed. “We may not be able to pay it back,” he said, “but we will pay it forward.”
That generosity has come from every corner of the community — and beyond. Mangrum noted that even a couple of people he had arrested in the past have helped his family. “I never expected that,” he said.
At the Water Valley Police Department, his fellow officers have stepped up to handle the day-to-day work while he focuses on countless details in the aftermath of the loss. “I will never be able to repay them,” Mangrum said.
Jason reported that Trista, who works at Water Valley High School, has been surrounded with support from her colleagues. Her son, Devin, returned to class the Monday after the fire. “His classmates and teachers have really stepped up and taken care of him, and that means a lot to us,” Jason said.
Olivia, Trista’s daughter, is 20 and has shouldered a heavy load at home, sorting through donations while helping keep the family organized. “She’s overwhelmed, but she’s handling it,” Mangrum said.
“We are still trying to chase the new normal, what happens next,” Mangrum said. “But it’s coming together. We’ve accepted what happened, and the next step is to build or find a house.”
Through it all, Jason said one lesson stands out: the power of community. “We thank each and every one of you for what you have done and continue to do,” he said. “This town, this county, even people across the state — the generosity has been unbelievable. Thank you.”
